How would a Kentucky Cannabis Revenue Program Work? Produce Tax Revenue

How would a Kentucky Cannabis Revenue Program Work? Produce Tax Revenue

Despite what Governor Beshear claims about “marijuana overdoses,” marijuana is very safe. Cannabis product sales have grossed over a billion and a half dollars in Colorado alone with an annual tax revenue stream of approximately a quarter-billion dollars. Kentucky doesn’t have to re-invent the wheel to enjoy the benefits of Kentucky’s own cannabis revenue program.
The state’s licensed cannabis retailers have sold more than $6.56 billion worth of marijuana products since legal sales began in 2014, following voters’ approval of a legalization ballot measure in 2012. That activity has generated more than $1.02 billion in taxes and fees for the state.

Beyond paying for the implementation and enforcement of regulations, the revenue goes toward youth drug prevention programs, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and school construction, among other services and programs.

“Amendment 64 has clearly fulfilled its promise of raising significant new revenue for school construction projects,” Brian Vicente, a lead co-author of the state’s marijuana legalization measure and a founding partner of the law firm Vicente Sederberg LLP, said in a press release. “We were never under the illusion that legalization would be a fiscal panacea, but we knew it would have a substantial and positive impact. Funds are being used on everything from building schools to hiring school health professionals and paying for bullying prevention programs.”

And the state’s legal cannabis program is only growing. Last month, Polis signed bills legalizing marijuana delivery services and social use areas, as well as legislation allowing publicly traded companies to hold cannabis business licenses.

“Today’s report continues to show that Colorado’s cannabis industry is thriving, but we can’t rest on our laurels,” the governor said on Wednesday. “We can and we must do better in the face of increased national competition. We want Colorado to be the best state for investment, innovation and development for this growing economic sector.”

Legalization advocates argue that the fiscal benefits are only one reason to support the policy change.

“Generating tax revenue is not the only reason or even the best reason to regulate cannabis,” said Mason Tvert, who was also a co-author of the legalization ballot initiative and now serves as vice president of communications at VS Strategies, the law firm’s public affairs consulting affiliate. “But when those revenues start adding up to more than $1 billion, as they have in Colorado, it’s a pretty attractive bonus. It’s crazy to think how much money states are flushing down the toilet by keeping marijuana in an illegal market.”

Last month, Illinois lawmakers sent a marijuana legalization bill to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), who campaigned on ending cannabis prohibition and has pledged to sign the legislation into law.

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Steve Cox For U.S. Senate for Kentucky

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Steve Cox For U.S. Senate
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